NPR News

Cuyahoga Valley National Park Feeling Effects Of Government Shutdown

By Kabir Bhatia

Published December 25, 2018 at 3:18 AM EST

Trails in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park are still open, but ranger-led activities are cancelled, and parking lots won't be plowed if there's heavy snowfall during the partial government shutdown. [WKSU] — Trails in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park are still open, but ranger-led activities are cancelled, and parking lots won't be plowed if there's heavy snowfall during the partial government shutdown.

The partial government shutdown is already having an impact on the Cuyahoga Valley National Park – even though parts of the park are still open.

There are currently no rangers in the parks.

The trails are open, and the parking lots should be accessible unless they’re blocked by heavy snow. There is no contract in place for snow removal.

Deb Yandala, CEO of the Conservancy for the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, says if the shutdown lasts more than a few days, it could lead to issues for visitors and the parks.

“We’re really concerned about the fact that there’s not adequate National Park staff for visitor protection, for resource protection, and for leading programs during a week that is usually a very well-visited week for Cuyahoga Valley National Park,” Yandala said.

She adds that other sites managed by the National Park Service, such as the First Ladies’ Library in Canton, will remain entirely closed to the public during the shutdown. The scenic railroad, however, has already closed for the year and is not slated to run again until next month.